Apparatus for cultivating plants

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to apparatus for cultivating plants such as mushrooms. The plants are positioned in receptacles stacked on one another and located in air-conditioned chambers. Each receptacle is individually subjected to preconditioned air having a short distance of travel defined by channels between adjacent receptacles. An elevating means and a horizontally movable processing line are arranged for processing receptacles from a plurality of said chambers which are disposed parallel to one another.

United :States Patent [191 Kuhn et al.

[451 Feb. 27, 1973 1 1 APPARATUS FOR CULTIVATING PLANTS [76] Inventors:Jorg Kuhn, Alpsteinstrasse 56, Herisau, Sweden; Elmer Sohm, Voralberg,Lauterach, Austria [22] Filed: Nov. 10, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 197,432

' Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.4,918, Jan. 22,

1970, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl, ..47/1.1, 47/17 [51] Int. Cl. ..A0lg 1/04 [58] Field ofSearch ..47/1.1, 17-18, 47/102 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 1,121,722 12/1941 Fessenden ....47/17 2,994,160 8/1961 Sinden etal..... .....47/1.l 3,118,249 1/1964 Bard et a1 ..47/1.1 3,292,30512/1966 Stengel ..47/1.1 3,461,605 8/1969 Stanhope ......47/17 3,664,0615/1972 Oepen ..47/1.2

Primary Examiner-Robert E. Bagwill AttorneyArthur H. Seidel et al.

[57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to apparatus for cultivating plantssuch as mushrooms. The plants are positioned in receptacles stacked onone another and located in air-conditioned chambers. Each receptacle isindividually subjected to preconditioned air having a short distance oftravel defined by channels between adjacent receptacles. An elevatingmeans and a horizontally movable processing line are arranged forprocessing receptacles from a plurality of said chambers which aredisposed parallel to one another.

18 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures Steves ..47/1.l

I PATENTEDFEB271975 3,717. 953

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PATENTED E Z- 1975 3, 7 17. 953

SHEET 07 0F 13 PATENTEB FEBZ'! ma sum 08 OF 1 30 FIG. 8A,

' PATENTEB FEB 2 7 I973 SHEET lEUF 13v SHEET 13 [1F 13 PATENTED FEB 271973 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The cultivation of mushrooms of theedible agarious campostris type known as Champignon de Paris has beenknown for centuries. In the beginning, such mushrooms were grown in theopen air in mound beds. Later it was discovered that light was notneeded for the cultivation of the mushrooms and therefore they weregrown underground in galleries, quarries, etc. while retaining the useof mound beds. As the utilization of these spaces was extensive, thesimple renewal of air by means of ventilation flues was sufficient.Because of the low temperatures, the mushrooms grew very slowly.

Suitable galleries, caves, and cellars and the like were not availableeverywhere. At the beginning of this century, an effort was made toconstruct buildings for the express purpose of growing mushrooms. Thebuildings, generally disposed underground, were not air-conditioned. Dueto the wide spacing of the trays in which the mushrooms were grown, itwas adequate to provide ventilation openings with or without fan means.For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 805,801.

It was necessary to maintain the frames or shelves a substantialdistance apart at the top and the sides to allow the gases produced bycompost and mushrooms to flow off for exhaust and to'supply thenecessary oxygen. Airconditioning is necessary to provide the properenvironment for the growing of mushrooms. For example, carbon dioxidetends to collect on the bottom surface of the mushrooms. A sufficientlylarge amount of carbon dioxide can inhibit the growth of the.

mushrooms.

In order to facilitate the harvesting which must take place in thecultivation area, wide passages are provided between stacks of boxes aswell as large distances above and below individual shelves. Each ofthese features adversely affects a consistent supply of air and resultsin irregular air velocities. According to the location of the boxes ortrays, some will receive an insufficient amount of air while others willreceive too much air. Each of these is unfavorable on quality and yieldof the product.

Heretofore, the growing of mushrooms took place in an environment whichmade it difficult to supervise workers while at the same time wasunfavorable from the point of view of health. Thus, the premises forgrowing the mushrooms were an environment which was moist, warm, andbadly illuminated. Further, it was difficult to intensively cultivatethe separate boxes or trays when are stacked in a manner which prohibitsfree access to the boxes from above. Thus, it was difficult tocultivate, gather, water, and otherwise tend the growth of the mushroomsin the boxes.

As technology progressed, apparatus for cultivating mushrooms includedthe use of trays or boxes supported on shelves with the provision of aforced circulation means for air-conditioning the environment. Forexample, see US. Pat. No. 1,773,648. That patent is typical of anattempt to air-condition the growing room, but was totally inadequatedue to a lack of uniformity of exposure of the trays to the aircurrents. Subsequent developments included utilizing endless conveyorsfor racks of receptacles in the growing room as disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 3,292,305.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The object of this invention is to obviate thepreviously described drawbacks and to provide a system whichsatisfactorily permits the cultivation and harvesting of many mushroomsper year with the expenditure of minimum effort.

In accordance with the present invention, trays are stacked in elongatedchambers having oppositely disposed walls spaced from one another. Thedistance between the walls, when having a stack of trays therebetween,precludes the entry of a person therebetween. Inlet and outlet openingsare provided adjacent the ends of the chamber. The trays are positionedbetween the walls and removed therefrom by a gripper means forming apart of an elevator means.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, a completely new mannerof individually air-conditioning each tray is rendered possible. Thepremises in which cultivation takes place are designed so as to includeair channels. The trays do not form an obstruction, but on the contrary,define guide faces for the constant guiding of the air currents. Inaccordance with the present invention, at least two to three times asmany trays can be accommodated in a specific space as compared withprior systems so as to have a great economical advantage.

With respect to the introduction and removal of air, in one embodimentinlet openings are preferably disposed adjacent one of the oppositelydisposed walls and the outlet opening adjacent the other wall. In thismanner, direct air flow over each of the beds is controlled so thatevery tray receives a portion of the airconditioned air suitablyadjusted for the actual stage of growth. Eddy currents, secondary ortertiary currents are always present over the trays and thereby wastegases of cultivation are removed. The spacing between trays is uniformand acts as guide spaces or baffle faces. In this regard, a stack oftrays including a track substan tially fills the space of each chamberfrom floor to ceiling whereby the space between the ceiling and theuppermost tray is substantially the same as the space below thelowermost tray.

The lowermost tray of a stack is supported by a truck having the sameouter dimensions as the trays. The uniform division of the space to beaipconditioned permits a uniform distribution of air. It is preferredthat the floor or ceiling be provided with two horizontally disposedchambers which form the inlet and outlet conduits of theair-conditioning system. The inlet and outlet conduits of theair-conditioning system can thereby be arranged in a simple manner whichis particularly advantageous in the construction and maintenance of thesystem.

According to the present invention, the trays are preferably stakced ontrucks which are movable on rails disposed in the chambers. The chambersmay be of any desired length, but preferably are disposed in paralleland are of the same length but sufficiently long so as to accommodate aplurality of stacks of trays arranged in a row. In this manner, a largenumber of trays is accommodated in a relative small space.

A further advantage of the invention is that gripping and elevatingmeans are movable in a vertical direction and disposed for cycling thetrays out of their chamber, through a work area, and then back intotheir original chamber. In this manner, individual trays or even wholestacks of trays can be cycled through the working area and then back tothe original chamber. In the working area, the trays may be subjected toplanting, watering, harvesting, etc. The individual attention devoted tothe trays can therefore be carried out with minimum labor since thetrays are brought to the workers rather than the workers going to thetrays.

In an operative embodiment of the present invention, chambers forstoring the stacks of trays may be disposed above and/or below thelocation of the working area. In the working area, there is preferablyprovided a conveying apparatus such as a conveyor which cooperates withthe gripping devices and elevating means. In this manner, the entiresystem may be carried out in a manner which is substantially automaticso that only a small labor force is necessary.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in thedrawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood,however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view through a channel-like chamber for receivingand storing the stacks of trays.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view through a building provided withchannel-like chambers as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view through a building provided withchannel-like chambers as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the working area through which the trays areprocessed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the outside configuration of a buildingfor cultivating plants in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the working area in the buildingillustrated in FIG. 5, showing the structure shown in FIG. 4, but in aless diagrammatic appearance.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the below ground level portion of thebuilding in FIG. 5, illustrating the various chambers for growing plantsin accordance with the present invention, with some of the chambersloaded and some of the chambers being illustrated empty.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are left and righthand sectional views taken along theline 88 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in FIG. 88.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of a conveyor and an invertdumping means for the trays.

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of the conveyor used for servicingtrays.

F IG. 12 is a perspective view of the stack advancing means in one ofthe storage chambers.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the elevator means with the grippingmeans in its retracted position.

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the elevating means with thegripping means in an extended position.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 9 but illustrating adifferent embodiment for the air circulation means.

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 9 but shows another embodiment whereinonly one stack of trays is provided in each chamber.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like elements,there is shown apparatus in accordance with the present invention.Referring to FIG. 1, the receptacles or trays 1 for receiving plants arestacked one over the other. Each tray is provided with a supporting footat a corner area in a manner so that each tray may support feet on atray thereabove. The space between trays is uniform and relativelysmall.

The trays are stacked on cross beams 3 of a truck 4. The truck 4 isdriven on rails 5 and supports a stack designated generally as 6 withina channel-like chamber 7. The chamber 7 is defined by lateral walls 8.The walls 8 are disposed at a distance from one another correspondingapproximately to, but slightly greater than, the width of the trays 1and the truck 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the width of the trays correspondsgenerally to the width of the truck 4.

On the floor of the chamber 7, there is provided a double conduit airsupply system for the chamber 7. The system includes an air supplyconduit 9 and an air exhaust conduit 10 which are parallel to the walls8 and disposed beneath the stack.

At the sides of the conduits 9 and 10, there are provided sections 11which support tracks 5. The sections 11 are provided with bores 12. Thebores 12 provide communication for flow of air from the conduit 9 intothe narrow vertical space between the stack 6 and one of the walls 8.The bores 12 in the section 11 on the opposite side of the chamber 7provide communication between the exhaust conduit 10 and the narrowvertical space between wall 8 and the stack 6. The bores 12 may beprovided with valves or other adjustable closures.

Air introduced under pressure from conduit 9 passes upwardly along oneside wall 8, into the space between adjacent trays of the stack 6 asshown by the arrows in FIG. 1, and then downwardly through the spaceadjacent the opposite wall to the exhaust conduit 10. The bottom surfaceof one tray cooperates with the upper surface of the tray therebelow todefine an air flow passage to facilitate removal of gases and moisture.In this manner, satisfactory ventilation of the chamber 7 is insured sothat satisfactory growth conditions and uniform growth of plants may beinsured.

In FIGS. 2-4, there is shown a building in which is provided a pluralityof parallel chambers 7 for the cultivation of plants on a massproduction type basis. In this embodiment, a plurality of channel-likechambers 7 are disposed next to one another on a first floor level belowa chamber 14 which is a working area level. In addition, a plurality ofchannel-like chambers 7 are provided parallel to one another at anelevation which is above the level of the working area 14. At the endsof the chambers 7, in the floor or the ceiling with respect to theelevation of the working area 14, openings 15 and 16 are provided tofacilitate cycling of the trays through the working area 14.

FIG. 2 shows cycling of the trays through the working area 14 forpurposes of composting. FIG. 3 shows cycling of the trays through thework area 14 for purposes of harvesting. To facilitate movement of thetrays through the working area 14, a conveyor 17 is provided. Thedirection of movement of the trays is indicated by the arrow 18. In thearea of the openings and 16, there is provided a vertically movableelevator means having a gripping means designated as 19 and providedwith horizontally movable gripper arms 20. The gripper means 19 and thearms 20 are actuated in any convenient manner such as by hydraulics,pneumatics, or mechanically.

As may be seen in FIG. 2, each of the retractable gripper arms 20 has apair of gripping elements for gripping one of the receptacles. When thearms 20 are retracted, the gripper means 19 are freely movablevertically through the openings 15 and 16 either to the stacks above theopenings 16 or to the stacks below the openings 15. Any suitableautomatic means may be provided to effect extension of the arms 20 togrip a receptacle, retract the latter, and then through the elevatormeans lower or raise the tray or stack to the level of the working area14. Thus, each gripping means 19 forms a means for automaticallyremoving a receptacle, tray or stack for delivering the same to theworking area 14 or for returning the same to its channel-like chamber 7.

The gripper means 19 may be moved downwardly in the direction of arrow21 to seize a tray in the stack 6 from the chamber containing the stacks6 to 6 The stack or tray is then lifted upwardly to the conveyor belt 17for movement in a horizontal direction as indicated by the arrow 18. Theworker 22 can now perform various jobs with respect to the plants in thetray such as gathering or harvesting mushrooms in a manner whereby thetray is attainable from all sides free from obstructions. A differentworker 23 can operate the gripper means and elevator means at thelefthand end of the belt 17 so that the tray may be returned to itschannel-like chamber 7.

The tray may actuate a switch which stops the conveyor 17 whereupon thegripper means 19 seizes the tray and places it onto the stack 6, asindicated by the arrow 24. The whole procedure may be controlled so asto be fully automatic.

The stacks 6 to 6 advance in the direction of arrow 25. See FIG. 2. Thismay be attained automatically since the rail 5 may have a certaininclination so that the stacks roll from left to right in FIG. 2 underthe action of gravity. If desired, positive pushing means may beprovided to effect such cycling. A circuit or cycling may then takeplace until the mushrooms are ready for gathering. Until the mushroomsare ready for gathering, the stacks 6 to 6 remain in the air-conditionedchannel-like chamber 7.

When the mushrooms are ready for gathering, the trays are cycled throughthe work area 14. This may be accomplished in a comparatively shortperiod of time. As pointed out above, the gripper means 19 descends inthe direction of arrow 21, lifts the trays onto the conveyor l7.Gathering or harvesting is done while the trays move along the conveyor17.

The apparatus described above for emptying the channel-like chambers maybe utilized to supply new trays with the entire cycle for growth ofmushrooms repeated. It is of course possible during the curing time forchecking purposes, watering purposes or the like, to cycle the traysonto the conveyor 17. The apparatus of the present invention facilitatesproper air-conditioning and growth of mushrooms in a minimum amount oftime with the minimum amount of workers under satisfactory workingconditions. Along the conveyor 17, there may be provided presses,spiking, and covering machines as well as harvesting machines to therebyincrease automation of the system.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of the elevation containing the work area14. As shown therein, the openings 15 leading to the parallelchannel-like chamber 17 are illustrated. The conveyor 17 is movablecross-wise in the direction of arrow 26 so as to be associated with aselected one of the channel-like chambers 7 containing stacks of traysto be cycled. The gripper means 19 can likewise be moved along thebuilding so that in a sequential manner all of the trays may be removedfrom an opening 15 associated with the particular channel-like chamber 7which is being cycled.

The apparatus described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 isparticularly suitable for the cultivation of Champignons. The apparatusis also suitable for the growth of other mushrooms or otherhorticultural plants. Small alterations in the apparatus can be carriedout by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of theinvention.

The apparatus can provide for the preparation of manure to be used inthe trays. A more uniform compost may be obtained which is thenintroduce with the base for the corresponding plants. The harvest yieldsas well as the quality of the products are substantially increased bythe use of the invention.

A more detailed explanation and illustration of the apparatus describedabove appears in FIGS. 5-15. As shown more clearly in FIG. 5, there isillustrated an extemal perspective view of a building designated as 30for practicing the invention disclosed herein. F ermentation piles 32may be provided in any convenient area alongside the building 30. I

Referring to FIG. 6, the building 30 is illustrated at the level of theworking area 14 which may be ground level. As illustrated, the length ofthe working area 14 may be sufficient so as to require a plurality ofconveyors 34, 36, and 38, each of which corresponds to the conveyor 17described above. Each of the conveyors will service a plurality ofchanneHike chambers therebelow with access being provided by way of theopenings 15 in the floor 40. The ceiling for the work area 14 isidentified as 42. Support columns 44 may be necessary and extend betweenthe floor 40 and ceiling 42. In this event, the conveyors 344, 36 and 38are constructed in a manner whereby they may be divided into sections soas to be able to continue to reciprocate.

back and forth in the direction of arrow 26 to facilitate cycling ofstacks within the parallel channel-like chambers 7 therebelow.

Referring to FIG. 7, the space below the work area 14, which may bebelow ground level, is divided into a plurality of parallel channel-likechambers 7. For purposes of illustration, some of the chambers 7 areempty and others are filled with stacks 6.

In FIGS. 8A and 88, there is illustrated a transverse cross section ofthe building 30 showing the stacks supported therebelow and thereabovethe working area 14. Each of the upper and lower channel-like chambers 7are filled with stacks which are being recycled by the conveyor 34. t

Referring initially to FIGS. 8A and 813, it will be seen that the stacksof trays in the chamber 7 directly below the conveyor 34 and the chamber7 directly above the conveyor 34 may be cycled so that each tray and thetruck for each stack are serially processed along the conveyor 34. Thetrays are returned to their respective chambers through the openings 15Aor 16A. The trays and each truck are withdrawn from their respectivechambers through the openings 158 or 168.

The gripper means and elevator means associated with the chambers andconveyor as shown in FIG. 8A is the same as that shown in 88.Accordingly, only such means as is illustrated in FIG. 8B will bedescribed in detail. To some extent, corresponding primed numerals willbe provided on the structure shown in FIG. 8A.

As shown in FIGS. and 8B, the roof 45 of the building 30 is providedwith a longitudinally arranged roof extension 46. Within the extension46, there is housed an elevator control means including a vehicle 50supporting a plurality of reels 48 around which are wound a cable 54.The vehicle 50 is mounted on rails 52 so that it may move along thelength of the building 30. Within a housing on the vehicle 50, there isprovided a motor 56 for operating the reels 48 and causing the vehicle50 to move along the rails 52.

The cable 54 is adapted to extend through a longitudinally extendingslot 58. Slot 58 is disposed within the roof 54 and providescommunication between the upper chambers 7 and the extension 46.Referring to FIG. 13, it will be noted that the cable 54 at its lowerend terminates in a clasp which is releasably connected in anyconvenient manner to a hook 60 on the body of the elevator means 19B.The body of the elevator means is U-shaped having arms 76 and 78connected to a bight 62.

The body of the elevator means 198 includes upright guide plates 64 and66. Plate 64 is provided with guide rollers 68 at each end and adaptedto extend into the channel 72. Plate 66 is provided with rollers 70 ateach end which are adapted to extend into channel 74.

A crossbrace 80 extends between the arms 76 and 78 of the body of theelevator means 19B. A cylinder 82 is supported by the cross brace 80 andthe bight 62. Cylinder 82 is adapted to extend and retract the grippermeans 84. In FIG. 13, the gripper means 84 is in its retracted position.In FIG. 14, the gripper means 84 is in its extended position.

The gripper means 84 is provided with a pair of pivotably mountedfingers 86 on one side and a pair of pivotably mounted fingers 88 on theother side. Cylinders 90 and 92 are supported by the gripper means forselectively causing the fingers to pivot from an aligned position asshown in FIG. 13 to a parallel position as shown in FIG. 14.

The cylinders 90 and 92 may cause the fingers 86 and 88 to pivotregardless of whether the gripper means 84 is in its extended orretracted position. In the position of the fingers 86 and 88 asillustrated in FIG. 13, the elevator means 19B may descend downwardlyand embrace the tray 1. Thereafter, actuation of the cylinders 90 and 92will cause the fingers 86 and 88 to rotate 90 inwardly so as to extendbelow the tray. Thereafter, movement of the elevator 1913 in a verticaldirection will result in the tray being carried thereby.

Thus, the elevator means 198 may pick up a tray, elevate the sameupwardly through the opening B to a position between the guard rails 94which are fixedly secured to the sections of the channels 72 and 74disposed between the floor 40 and ceiling 42. Thereafter, cylinder 82may be actuated to deposit the elevator tray onto the conveyor 34. Inlike manner, elevator means 19A removes the tray and returns it to itschamber.

Each of the upper and lower chambers 7 are provided with stationary setsof channels corresponding to and adapted to be aligned with channels 72and 74. However, there are no channels at the floor level of the workingarea 14 except for channels 72 and 74 at each end of each conveyor.

Each of the conveyors 34, 36 and 38 is provided with guide rails 94 attheir ends. Each of the guard rails 94 is connected to and supportchannels 72 and 74 which are adapted to be aligned with selected ones ofthe sets of stationary channels in the respective upper and lowerchambers 7 which are serviced by the respective conveyors. In order thatconveyor 34 may move in the direction of arrow 26, it is supported onthe floor 40 by means of wheels 96 which rotate about axes parallel tothe length of the conveyor 34.

Referring to FIG. 11, there is partially illustrated a portion of theconveyor 34. The frame of the conveyor includes rubber wheels 98 atspaced points therealong for rotatably engaging the bottom surface ofthe tray. The wheels 98 are supported in two rows. Each row of wheels isspaced from an outrigger rail 100 so as to provide a space through whichthe legs on the tray will extend. In the area of the columns 44, theconveyor 34 is separable into two sections in any convenient manner. InFIG. 11, the sections are joined by a pivotably mounted joining plate102. In this manner, the conveyor 34 may move in the direction of arrow26 notwithstanding the fact that the working area 14 includes columns 44which are necessary to support the weight of the stacks in the upperchambers 7.

If it is desired to have a positive means for moving stacks to aposition adjacent the end of the rails 5 adjacent the openings 15B and168, a stack transport means 104 may be provided. See FIG. 12. On thefloor 42 within the upper chamber 7 between rails 5, there is provided astack transport means 104. Means 104 includes a cylinder 106 having apiston rod 108.

At the end of piston rod 108 remote from the piston within the cylinder106, there is provided a pivotably mounted claw 110. As claw 110 movesfrom right to left in FIG. 12, it engages the frame of the truck 4 andpivots clockwise against the action of the spring 112. As soon as theclaw 110 moves past the truck, the spring 112 retracts so as to preventan upright face on the claw 110 engaging the truck. Thereafter,retraction of the piston rod 108 moves the entire stack to the end ofthe rails 5 against the limit stop so as to be in position for contactby the gripper means 84. The means 104 may be provided in addition tothe gravity feed attained by the difference in elevation at the ends ofthe rails 5.

Referring to FIG. 15, the inlet conduit 9 and the outlet conduit 10 inthe lower chamber 7 may be alongside one another and supporting therails 5. The chamber 7 above the working area 14 may have its inlet andoutlet conduits 9 and 10, respectively, supported by the ceiling whichis the lower surface of the roof 45 on the building 30. In this manner,preconditioned air may be circulated as described above and indicated bythe arrows.

The arrangement of the inlet and outlet conduits for the circulation ofpreconditioned air for each of the chambers 7 may be as shown in FIG. 9.In FIG. 9, each of the chambers 7 has a pair of inlet conduits 9 onopposite sides of the chamber with a return or exhaust conduit 10disposed therebetween. Otherwise, the air duct arrangement as shown inFIG. 9 is the same as that described above with air circulation asindicated by the arrows.

If desired, the width of the chamber 7 may be sufficiently narrow so asto accommodate only a single stack of trays as shown in FIG. 16. In thisalternative, the relationship described above would be maintained sothat uniform air flow may be attained in the same manner as describedabove. In FIG. 7, the distance between adjacent trays as well as thedistance from a side face of the tray and the adjacent wall8 issubstantially identical. In FIG. 9, for example, thedistance betweenstacks disposed side-by-side is twice the distance between the adjacenttrays on a stack or the distance from astack to the adjacent wall 8.

A conveyor 114 is supported within the elevation of the working area 14by the ceiling 42. See FIGS. 6, 8A and 10. An invert mechanismdesignated generally as 116 is disposed within the enclosure 117. Thereare no chambers 7 in the vertical plane defined by the enclosure 117.Trays which have been harvested are in any suitable manner elevated andpositioned onto the conveyor 114.

When a tray reaches the position of the invert mechanism, it is graspedbythe mechanism and rotated 180 so as to dump the contents into asuitable bin or onto a means for conveying the same to any desiredstorage area. The mechanism 116 includes a pair of arms 118 and 120interconnected together and mounted for rotation through an arc of about180 by means of shaft 124. The distance between arms 118 and 120 isgreater than the width of the tray.

A motor, not shown, is geared to shaft 124 to elevate the mechanism 116to an inclined position so that conveyor 114 may move a tray to aposition therebelow. The mechanism 116 is then lowered so as to embracethe tray. Thereafter, fingers 124 and 126 are pivoted from an alignedposition parallel to one another to a position wherein they extendbeneath the tray. A cylinder 128 is supported by the arm 120 tomanipulate the fingers 124 through an arc of 90. A similar cylinderissupported by arm 118. The fingers and their actuating cylinders on themechanism 116 are identical to those on the gripper means 84.

The invert mechanism 116 and the conveyor 114 constitute a mechanicalmeans for disposing of the trays and their contents after the mushroomshave been harvested. In this manner, minimum labor is required. Due tothe size of the trays, a loaded tray has a weight of approximately 800pounds. In the absence of some mechanical means for manipulating thetrays, excessive labor would be required to dispose of the trays.

As described above, trays are loaded and arranged in stacks in thenarrow channel-like chamber 7. It is not deemed necessary to describeand illustrate electrical circuitry for operating various switches andmotors associated with the apparatus, since the same is considered to bewithin the skill of those versed in the art. During pasteurization ofthe mushrooms, the air circulation means has a capacity to change theair in each chamber 50 times per hour. During the growing portion of thecycle, the air in each chamber is only changed 22 times per hour.Duringthe growing cycle, air at a slow velocity of about 2 to 3 inchesper second has been found to be satisfactory to avoid scale anddiscoloration while developing a hardier mushroom. In the pasteurizationcycle, the air will have a velocity of about 8 inches per second. Wecombine slow flow with slow velocity across the trays while providing alarge amount of air. The air travels through a short distance from theinlet conduit to the outlet conduit so that it may accumulate a largeamount of spores and its temperature as well as its humidity may be moreaccurately controlled. There is a regularity of the air velocity due tothe smallness of the chambers as compared with the large room whichwould have differential air flow rates at different parts of the room.

The present invention permits a large number of mushrooms to be grown ina small amount of space with the optimum environmental conditions forgrowing a hearty crop in a minimum amount of time with a minimum oflabor. At the same time, the present invention achieves a maximum ofcommercial efficiency through higher yields and better quality at areduced cost. As pertains to the labor force, their working conditionsin the working area 14 are infinitely better than those associated withthe systems utilized heretofore as pertains to humidity, lighting,comfort, etc.

A typical cycle utilizing the present invention would be as follows:

relaair: comtive post: humidity air: I. 1 day pasteurization of thecompost 5860C 58'60Cl00% 2. 5 days conditioning of the compost 30-40C4852C 95% 3. l l incubation. Compost has I been mixed with mycelium(Spawn). Spawn runs through compost. 16-24C 24-26C 95% 4. l0 holding.Compost has been cased (covered with a layer of soil I inches). Myceliumgrows through casing soil. l6-24C 24-26C 90% 5. 3 formation of smallmushrooms.

fructification l5-l7C 2024C 85% 6. 36 yield in five flushes of 2-3 dayseach 15-17C Iii-22C 85% 7. cook out and emptying 70C -70C100% Duringstages 2 through 4, the temperature of the compost is more importantthan the temperature of the air. The temperature of the air isprincipally a means of holding the compost inside certain temperaturelimits. In stages 1 and 7, the object is to destroy all animal pests andplant diseases. This is accomplished by the temperature of the air andcompost. in stages 5 and 6, the temperature and humidity of the air aremore important than those of the compost.

The initiation of growth of mushrooms as per stage 5 should be initiatedthrough a drop in temperature and a marked increase in fresh air. Forsatisfactory results, this should be done'at the exact moment when themycelium comes to the surface of the casing soil. If they are not givenair, mycelium will grow heavily on the surface of the beds, build a mat,and prevent the formation of hardy bodies. As to the amount of fresh airthat mushrooms need, we have calculated that for 6,850 square feet ofbed area, approximately 2,700 cubic feet per minute of air would benecessary.

For disease control, it is important that all air is filtered and thatsome means be provided so that the air from one chamber 7 is not mixedwith the air of another chamber. It is desirable to have theair-conditioning units for the chambers below working area 14 to beseparate and apart from the air-conditioning units for the chambersabove the working area 14. This greatly reduces the amount of conduitsand loss of heat in addition to simplifying maintenance. It is importantthat the incoming air from conduit 9 be directed straight upwardlyparallel to the walls in the space between the walls and the trays withjust the opposite for the return air. A suction fan may be connected toeach of the exhaust conduits to provide a control on the return airflow. Thus, a balanced air flow may be obtained by forcing air into thechambers using a fan having a pressure and speed which is equal to thepressure and speed of the exhaust fan. During certain growing stageswhen less air flow is needed, this may be achieved by a time clock whichstops the fans at adjustable intervals.

The length of the legs on the trays is preferably chosen so that thedistance between trays is approximately inches. If the distance betweentrays is substantially less than 5 inches, mushrooms which grow to aheight of 2 to 2%.inches would form a barrier and interfere with theuniform air flow. If the distance is greater than 6 inches, it isbelieved that the air flow would not accomplish its intended purpose ofremoving gases underneath the mushroom heads. These figures arepredicated on the size trays described hereinafter.

Heretofore, it has been proposed to transport trays or stacks of traysby means of fork lift trucks. The use of fork lift trucks materiallycontributes to transmission of diseases and detracts from proper diseasecontrol. For example, fork lift trucks can ride over casing soil on thefloor and carry it all over the building, thereby infecting otherportions of the building. The use of fork lift trucks requires widedoors which permits flies, spores, and other insects to have free accessthroughout the entire premises. Further, fork lift trucks requiresubstantially wider channel-chamber for storing the trays and racks oftrays.

In cycling the stacks of trays from a particular chamber 7, through theworking area 14, and back to the same chamber, the present inventionenables this to be accomplished with a tray being outside of its chamber7 for a period of only 5 to 6 minutes. When the conveyor 34 is to bemoved from a position above or below a particular chamber 7 to anadjacent chamber, the cable 54 is disconnected from the hook 60, woundaround the reels 48, and then vehicle 50 moved to a position over thenext chamber 7. The channel sections 72 and 74 move with the conveyor 34and the guard rails 94 so as to be over or below the next chamber.7 tobe cycled. Thereafter, the cable 54 is lowered and reconnected to thehook 60.

It is to be noted that the present invention has an absence of widealleys or gangways which require cleaning. The mushrooms are not pickedin the growing rooms and hence, the growing rooms remain exceptionallyclean.

We have found that the present invention can have a yearly production ofabout 222. million pounds of mushrooms. This would involve l4 growingrooms such as the chamber 7 with 260 trays in each chamber. Forharvesting, watering, and other processing steps, the trays are cycledabout four times per week. In order to effect such scheduling, it isdesirable to have one conveyor in the work area 14 for every four of thechambers 7.

Before the trays are inverted by the mechanism 116, they are preferablysubjected to a cook out of several hours at temperatures up to C. Inorder to prevent contamination of the working area 14, the enclosure 117is preferably at a slight negative pressure. After the contents of thetray are dumped down a chute which may lead to a truck, the empty trayis put back on the conveyor 1 l4 and transported to a cleaning areawhere it may be cleaned, refilled, and put into an empty pasteurizationroom. When the contents of the tray are being dumped down the chute bythe invert mechanism 116, the lugs prevent the tray from falling throughthe invert mechanism.

In a typical embodiment, the chambers 7 are 27 meters long, about 2meters wide and about 4.3 meters high. The trays or receptacles forgrowing mushrooms are each about 1.75 meters wide and occupy 2.43 squaremeters. Each chamber contains trays (l0 stacks of 14) with a total bedspace of 340 square meters. See FIGS. 1 and 7. The distance from wall 8to a side face of stack 6 will be about 5 inches which is also thepreferred distance between trays. These figures are by way of examplerather than being limitations. For example, the chamber in FIG. 9 istwice the width of the chamber in FIG. 7.

In such an environment which is at least three times more compact thansystems utilized heretofore, we grow 7.3 crops per year. Each crop has ahigh yield of hearty mushrooms. We have found that the air-conditioningas disclosed herein increases the yield by 20 percent and results in amore uniform size crop.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and,accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, ratherthan to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of theinvention.

We claim:

1. In an apparatus for cultivation of plants comprising an elongatedenclosure of channel-shaped configuration having a pair of opposedupright walls which are generally parallel to each other, a stack ofreceptacles for respectively containing plants which are to becultivated, said stack being disposed between said upright walls withthe receptacles of saidstack each having opposed side walls disposedgenerally parallel to but spaced from said upright walls, eachreceptacle having legs extending downwardly and resting on the nextlower receptacle, each receptacle having a bottom wall spaced by saidlegs above the next lower receptacle, said opposed side walls of saidreceptacles defining with said upright walls of said enclosure first andsecond passages extending longitudinally of said upright walls and saidside walls of said receptacles, a

1. In an apparatus for cultivation of plants comprising an elongatedenclosure of channel-shaped configuration having a pair of opposedupright walls which are generally parallel to each other, a stack ofreceptacles for respectively containing plants which are to becultivated, said stack being disposed between said upright walls withthe receptacles of said stack each having opposed side walls disposedgenerally parallel to but spaced from said upright walls, eachreceptacle having legs extending downwardly and resting on the nextlower receptacle, each receptacle having a bottom wall spaced by saidlegs above the next lower receptacle, said opposed side walls of saidreceptacles defining with said upright walls of said enclosure first andsecond passages extending longitudinally of said upright walls and saidside walls of said receptacles, a supply conduit communicating with saidfirst passage for delivering air thereto, an exhaust conduitcommunicating with said second passage for withdrawing air therefrom, sothat air introduced through said supply conduit will flow upwardlythrough said first passage and will be withdrawn through spaces beneathsaid bottom walls of said receptacles to said second passage from whichthe air is withdrawn by way of said exhaust conduit, so that air will becirculated uniformly through the enclosure with respect to plants insaid receptacles with the bottom walls of the receptacles acting as aguide surface for guiding air from said first passage across thereceptacles to the second passage.
 2. In apparatus in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said conduits are located at the same elevation adjacentone end of said stack.
 3. In apparatus in accordance with claim 2wherein said conduits are beneath the stack.
 4. In apparatus inaccordance with claim 3 wherein the stack is supported by a truck in theenclosure, with the truck being disposed above the elevation of saidconduits.
 5. In apparatus in accordance with claim 4 including a pair ofrails in the enclosure extending generally parallel to said uprightwalls, said truck having wheels riding on said rails.
 6. In apparatus inaccordance with claim 5 wherein said rails are inclined so that thetruck will roll from one end thereof toward the other under the effectof gravity.
 7. In apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including a pairof said enclosures disposed one above the other with the upper enclosurespaced from the lower eNclosure to define a work area between theelevations of the enclosures, said upper enclosure having a bottom wallformed with openings adjacent opposite ends thereof and communicatingwith the work area, said lower enclosure having a top wall formed withopenings communicating with the work area adjacent opposite ends of thebottom enclosure.
 8. In apparatus in accordance with claim 7 includinggripping and elevating means associated with the openings at one end ofthe enclosures for moving receptacles from said one end of the enclosureto said work area, and a conveyor in said work area for receiving thereceptacles and moving them to the opposite end of the enclosures.
 9. Inapparatus in accordance with claim 8 including a plurality of parallelupper enclosures, and a plurality of parallel lower enclosures, eachenclosure being slightly wider than a whole number multiple of the widthof the receptacles.
 10. Apparatus for cultivating plants comprising aplurality of parallel channel-like chambers on one floor level, aplurality of aligned stacks of receptacles occupying substantially theentirety of each chamber, each stack including discrete receptaclesspaced from and supported by the next lower receptacle, means forintroducing preconditioned air into the chambers and withdrawing the airafter it has moved through the space between adjacent receptacles, meansdefining an inlet for each chamber spaced from an outlet for eachchamber, cycling means for selectively moving receptacles from a chamberoutlet and returning the receptacles through said chamber inlet, saidcycling means including elevator means and a conveyor, said conveyorbeing on a different floor level extending generally parallel to thechambers for supporting receptacles as the receptacles are moved from achamber outlet to a chamber inlet, said elevator means being adapted tomove receptacles from the first-mentioned floor level to the floor levelof the conveyor and vice versa.
 11. Apparatus in accordance with claim10 wherein said elevator means includes a gripper means having anextended and a retracted position, said gripper means including elementsfor embracing and supporting a receptacle as the receptacle is moved ina generally vertical direction by elevator means.
 12. Apparatus inaccordance with claim 10 wherein the means for introducing and removingpreconditioned air includes at least one inlet conduit and at least oneexhaust conduit, said conduits being adjacent one another and adjacentone end of the stacks, said conduits extending parallel to upright wallsdefining said chambers, said upright walls being spaced from side facesof the stacks by a distance corresponding generally to the distancebetween adjacent receptacles in a single stack.
 13. Apparatus inaccordance with claim 12 wherein at least some of said chambers includefirst and second parallel rows of aligned stacks with first and secondinlet conduits having the exhaust conduit disposed therebetween, saidexhaust conduit being aligned with the space between the rows with thedischarge ports on the inlet conduits being adjacent the upright wallsdefining the chamber.
 14. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10including an invert mechanism at said different floor level forinverting receptacles which have already been harvested, and a secondconveyor for conveying receptacles to said invert mechanism. 15.Apparatus for cultivating plants comprising a multi-level building, aplurality of parallel chambers on one floor level of said building, awork area on a different floor level of said building, a conveyor onsaid different floor level extending generally parallel to saidchambers, said conveyor being movable in a direction generallyperpendicular to the length of said chambers so as to be verticallyaligned with any particular one of said chambers, each chamber having aninlet which communicates with the floor level of the conveyor adjacentone end of the conveyor, each chamber having an outlet communicatiNgwith the floor level of the conveyor adjacent an opposite end of theconveyor, and elevating and gripping means for withdrawing receptaclescontaining plants from the chamber outlet and depositing the same on theconveyor, whereby receptacles may be cycled from a chamber across theconveyor for processing and then returned to the opposite end of thechamber from which they were withdrawn.
 16. Apparatus in accordance withclaim 15 including means for supporting and moving receptacles in thechamber in a direction from the inlet end to the outlet end of thechamber.
 17. Apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein the elevatormeans is movable with the conveyor for selective use in connection withthe outlet of a plurality of said chambers.
 18. Apparatus in accordancewith claim 16 wherein the chamber outlets are in a row and the chamberinlets being in a row, the row of inlets and outlets being parallel toone another.